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Counselling Suicidal Clients
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Counselling Suicidal Clients

  • Andrew Reeves - Professor in the Counselling Professions and Mental Health, Senior BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker.


February 2010 | 200 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
"I have worked in psychiatry as well as in private practice with suicidal people. I found it poignant and true when Reeves points out that people do not have to be mad to be suicidal and '…that assessing suicide potential fundamentally lies in engaging with the suicidal client at a deeper relational level'. So true. This thoroughly researched book is written with passion and compassion. It will be a valuable addition to the libraries of therapists and anyone else who works with suicidal people." -

Therapy Today, July 2010

"A uniquely accessible, comprehensive and practical guide. Essential reading for counsellors and psychotherapists and all helping professionals who work with clients at risk of suicide." -

Mick Cooper, Professor of Counselling, University of Strathclyde

"A 'must read' for counsellors of all experience levels, offering sound practical strategies alongside thought-provoking case studies and discussion points. Reeves addresses this difficult topic with depth, breadth and integrity. Excellent." -

Denise Meyer, developer and lead author of www.studentdepression.org

"Andrew Reeves brings together his experience as a social worker, counsellor and academic to explore the essential elements in working with suicidal clients. His openness and integrity in writing about this complex topic creates a valuable resource for reflective practice." -

Barbara Mitchels, Solicitor and Director of Watershed Counselling Service, Devon.

Counselling Suicidal Clients addresses the important professional considerations when working with clients who are suicidal. The 'bigger picture', including legal and ethical considerations and organisational policy and procedures is explored, as is to how practitioners can work with the dynamics of suicide potential in the therapeutic process.

The book is divided into six main parts:

- The changing context of suicide

- The prediction-prevention model, policy and ethics

- The influence of the organisation

- The client process

- The practitioner process

- The practice of counselling with suicidal clients.

The book also includes chapters on the discourse of suicide, suicide and self-injury, and self-care for the counsellor. It is written for counsellors and psychotherapists, and for any professional who uses counselling skills when supporting suicidal people.

 
PART ONE: CONTEXTUAL ASPECTS OF WORKING WITH SUICIDE RISK
 
Suicide and Counselling: An Introduction
 
Historical Perspectives on Suicide and the Emergence of the Medical Model
 
Suicide Trends and Statistics
 
PART TWO: THE PREDICTION-PREVENTION MODEL, POLICY AND ETHICS
 
Suicide Risk Factors and Assessment
 
The Influence of Policy and the Prediction-Prevention Culture
 
The Ethical Imperative of Suicide
 
Confidentiality, Capacity and Consent
 
PART THREE: ORGANIZATIONS
 
Counselling Suicidal Clients in Organizational Settings
 
Developing Procedures and Guidance
 
PART FOUR: THE CLIENT PROCESS
 
Understanding Suicide
 
The Use of Language in Counselling Suicidal Clients
 
From Self-Murder to Self-Support
 
Suicide and Self-Injury: Annihilation and Survival
 
PART FIVE: THE COUNSELLOR PROCESS
 
The Counsellor and Suicide Risk: Personal Perspectives and Professional Actions
 
Potential Dangers and Difficulties
 
PART SIX: KEY ASPECTS OF COUNSELLING WITH SUICIDAL CLIENTS
 
Tightropes and Safety Nets: Supporting Practice
 
Good Practice for Self-Support
 
Training Implications for Counselling
 
PART SEVEN: CONCLUSIONS
 
Concluding Thoughts

Together with the Tightropes DVD this is an excellent resource on understanding and working with suicidal clients.

Ms Raje Suzanne Airey
Counselling Dept, Colchester Institute
June 14, 2012

this is a must for all trainee counsellors

Mrs Mary Sherrill
Health & Social Care, Tresham Institute
April 5, 2012

the recommended book for the topic on the MSc course. very comprehensive thought provoking and readable

Ms Shona Neal
Counselor Education , Keele University
November 12, 2011

Will be used as a supplemental text at Keystone College, the other college I teach at.

Ms Rebekah Nazarchuk
Psychology Dept, Marywood University
October 1, 2011

Counselling suicidal clients can be an exhausting and emotionally demanding process; this publication supports the practitioner to work safely, ethically and compassionately.

Mr Richard Carroll
School of Health , Guildford College of Further and Higher Education
April 6, 2011

A good book for staff to access but not suitable for students

Mrs Jan Roberts
Childcare, Herefordshire College of Technology
April 1, 2011

An excellent text which addresses the issues associated with suicidal clients in an accessible way

Mrs Anne Lawton
School of Healthcare, Leeds University
November 12, 2010

This is an excellent book, very sensitively written. The overall structure is well balanced. It contains a lot of very helpful teaching material that can be utilised in the Mental Health & recovery Module

Dr Derek Farrell
School of Health Sciences, Birmingham University
September 15, 2010

This is an excellent book, and one I'll be using on several modules. It guides the reader clearly through the various stages of working with suicidal clients, outlining some of the main challenges and difficulties. A very useful resource for trainees and experienced clinicians alike

Ms Jane Keeton
Psychology , Wolverhampton University
July 20, 2010

This is an interesting, informed text that includes guidance relevant to working with a variety of client groups. We will be adding this to our course recommended reading list for this reason.

Ms Kirsten Amis
School of Social & Community Studies, Anniesland College
May 10, 2010

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One

Chapter Two


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Paperback
ISBN: 9781412946360
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